Jerry Jones wants no confusion in Dallas Cowboys standing for National Anthem

Dallas Cowboys owner, president, and general manager Jerry Jones joined our friends “Shan & RJ” on 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM] Tuesday to clarify his comments regarding the National Anthem and the perception of disrespecting the American flag. Here are the highlights:

On why he chose to bring it up after the 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers — “Well, I’m very proud of the way our guys have handled the anthem and their respect for the flag. Obviously our team, our players, our entire organization have respect the flag. I want to be sure that we are part of creating that perception. So much of what we do is about the perception or is about just the image that we have. If you’ll look at our operating manual that I think this particular part of it what we do in respecting the anthem and respecting the flag has been in that operating manual for 30 years. I think there is a debate as to whether or not it’s a rule or whether or not being a part of the operating manual is something we have to go by. But I don’t see it that way. I think it’s very clear the intent of the NFL for years has been to stand and have that moment in recognition, and I’m going to say it again, respect for the flag. So, I want to be real clear. I want a very bright line for every one to basically say if somebody ask a part of our organization to do something other than necessarily what’s in the manual. I don’t want to be totally succinct about where you place your hand as to what part of your body it’s on, but I don’t want there to be any confusion as to respecting the flag. You’ll know it, we’ll know it when you see it as far as I’m concerned. And, so, I’ve been really been wanting to clear this up. The other day I hoped this issue would kind of subside and go away as far as the NFL is concerned. And apparently after the game the other day it hadn’t. And I just want to be real clear with mainly our fans and the public where we stand with the flag.”

On if he is prepared to sit Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, or Dez Bryant if they kneel or sit during the National Anthem — “I’m not in any way going to, let’s say conjecture as to what if we don’t stand for the flag. The policy in my actions are going to be that if you do not honor and stand for the flag in a way that a lot of our fans think that you should, if that’s not the case, then you won’t play. That’s nothing new as far as that being my wish, or the way I want the Cowboys to have. As far as whether or not I will basically institute or basically do what I said, I just would say that the implication that we’re not respecting the flag is not going to — is just not going to be accepted. And, so, I would just ask anybody to look at my record relative to what I say I’m going to do and go from there.”

On if President Donald Trump’s tinkering with the tax code and the NFL having tax exemption was a factor in his recent comments — “No, I hadn’t seen the tweet. Again, I don’t want to get in the issues. It’s so, not perplexing, but so frustrating that with us having to get our defense going, with us having to really address what we’re doing as a team and what we’re doing on the field, I know the primary reason the Dallas Cowboys are supported is because of what we do on the field, if not in my mind, the only reason. Now, when I get up in the morning my whole priority is the Dallas Cowboys. So, I have other things that I’m interested in, but at the end of the day, if I think something is not in the best interest of the Cowboys, then I’m going to address it. And it’s not in the best interest of the Cowboys for them to be in this debate. It’s not in the best interest of the Cowboys whether it’s right or wrong to imply that we don’t respect the flag. I’ve never had that problem with the Dallas Cowboys. I’m so proud of them that we have stood and, in my mind, respected the flag. I want them to have the ammunition to tell anyone that asks them to do anything otherwise or demonstrate at that period of time that I don’t get to play if I do that. I want that to be there for them to say.”